Vidalia Onion Committee Seeking New Board Member Nominations

July 17, 2014

Vidalia, GA (July 17, 2014): The Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) is currently seeking nominations for their grower Board of Directors. The VOC elects four new members each year as part of an annual process.There are currently four member spots and four alternate board spots available.

The VOC administers the federal marketing order locally and consists of eight producer members and their alternates and one public member and an alternate. The role of the VOC Board of Directors is to oversee the Vidalia onion marketing order and its role in carrying out research, marketing and advertising on behalf of the grower members.Members are limited to three consecutive two-year terms of office.

Qualifications for the board include being in good standing with the Committee, a registered grower with the State of Georgia, are an individual tax paying entity, and are on the last available GDA Registered Grower List or an employee of a member of this list. The VOC encourages all interested members including minorities, women and those with physical challenges to apply as they work toward building a diverse and representative membership. We are also especially interested in getting input from small business and organic growers so that the Committee might represent all interests in the Vidalia onion industry.Newly elected board members will be seated in their new positions upon approval of U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Secretary of Agriculture.

Potential board members must first be nominated. Nominations will be accepted from August 22nd – September 4th. Please contact the Vidalia Onion Committee to receive a nomination form at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or via phone at (912) 537-1891. Nomination forms can be submitted via fax at 912-537-2166 or by mail at P.O. Box 1609, Vidalia, GA 30475.After the close of nominations voting will take place on September 18th from 8am-5 pm at the VOC office. No absentee votes will be accepted: walk-in voting only. All voters must be in good standing with the committee – defined as having timely regular reports and assessments that are current. Election officials will tally ballots, and all election materials are property of the USDA.

Susan Waters, Executive Director of the VOC remarked, “The Committee members serve in a role that is critical in the success and management of the Vidalia Onion Committee. Board members provide a voice to member issues and concerns so we can build programs that meet the direct needs of our growers and see that their funds are well managed.”

About Vidalia® OnionsVidalia® onions are the pioneer of sweet onions and Georgia’s official state vegetable. Grown only in the mild climate and unique soil surrounding Vidalia, Ga., they’re loved by chefs and home cooks throughout the world. Vidalia® onions are hand planted and hand harvested each year, with sweet, juicy bulbs available seasonally from late April to late August. Vidalia® onions, with their mild, sweet taste, are versatile and can be used in a variety of amazing recipes. These Georgia sweeties are also a low-fat, low-cholesterol and sodium-free way to get a healthy dose of Vitamin C! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.

About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia® onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia® onions. The Vidalia® Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia® trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia®,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.

"The only thing better than the onions in Vidalia is the people. They’re great cooks, and friendly."